Following influencing activity from RPS in Scotland, pharmacists will be able to choose whether to participate in Assisted Dying in Scotland according to their conscience, if the draft legislation becomes law.

RPS holds a neutral position on assisted dying.  All pharmacists should have the right to take part, or not take part in the process, depending on their individual moral, ethical and/or religious beliefs.

One of our key objectives has been to ensure that pharmacists can either take part, or not take part in the process, as they wish.

RPS in Scotland has taken a very active role in the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill process, providing written and oral evidence to MSPs during Stage 1 and influencing MSPs during Stage 2 to ensure a key amendment was tabled and passed.

This amendment, introduced by Brian Whittle MSP at Stage 2 and voted through by MSPs, makes clear that an approved substance must only be supplied to a doctor or a nurse by a registered pharmacist. By authorising this specific role in the Bill, this brings the supply of the substance by a pharmacist into scope for the conscientious objection clause, which states that an individual is not under any duty to participate directly in anything authorised by the Act.

Pharmacists are also mentioned as being potentially able to assist a doctor or a nurse during the assisted death, although the pharmacist would be able to decide not to attend if they did not wish to. A separate clause in the Bill highlights that an individual must not be subject to any detriment for participating, or not participating, in anything authorised by the Act, meaning pharmacists can be confident to take this decision solely based on their own beliefs.

RPS is of the view that if the Bill passes, robust guidance will need to be created, which describes the role of the pharmacist in any assisted death, to provide clarity to pharmacists, other healthcare professionals and patients. RPS stands ready to work with Scottish Government and other relevant bodies to produce this guidance.

Speaking about the changes to the legislation at Stage 2, Laura Wilson, Director for Scotland said:

“Royal Pharmaceutical Society has a neutral position on assisted dying, and we represent members with a wide variety of views in this deeply complex and sensitive policy area.

“Throughout the legislative process, we have highlighted our policy on assisted dying to MSPs, to ensure any legislation which is brought forward reflects the role of pharmacists and provides pharmacists with the ability to either not take part, or not take part in the process, according to their conscience.

“We are very pleased that following our representation to MSPs, the amendment which describes the role of pharmacists in supplying the substance has been inserted into the legislation. I would like to thank Brian Whittle MSP for tabling this important amendment. This is a key safeguard, which accurately reflects the role of the pharmacist whilst at the same time providing the pharmacist with the opportunity to choose to supply the substance, or not.

“If this Bill passes Stage 3 and becomes an Act, it will be necessary to provide greater clarity about the role of any pharmacist who chooses to attend an assisted death. We are ready to work with Scottish Government and other relevant bodies to clarify this, and ensure that this role reflects pharmacists’ expertise, whilst at the same time is appropriate to their professional scope.”